Achi news desk-
About 300 people stopped and tackled the steps of McHugh Bluff to help end homelessness in Calgary.
For each set of 176 steps completed; one dollar will be given to Inn o’r Cold and those donations will match the Power of One Foundation.
“At Inn from the Cold, 50 per cent of our budget comes from community donations and that is extremely important at the moment, because of the housing crisis, we are seeing more and more families reaching out for support ,” says Emma MacIsaac, director of impact and engagement at Inn of the Cold
“That money helps us continue to provide shelter, housing, wrap-around support to families facing the housing crisis and who have increased bills as a result of inflation and affordability.”
Actions to End Homelessness was started in 2009 by Suzanne West, who wanted to do something significant and impactful for her 45ed birthday
“When she was 45 my sister called me and said she wanted to do 45 sets of Crescent Heights stairs for her birthday and wanted to know if I would join her and I was like, no , that sounds horrible,” said his sister Kathy Rwamuningi.
“Then two days later, she calls and says well, I’m making it a fundraiser, for every set I have whoever wants to join me, I’ll give $1.
“Then it was a different charity but the next year Inn from the Cold became a benefactor and has had a good partnership ever since.”
Suzanne passed away in 2019, but her family is committed to continuing this fundraising event.
“These are her stairs. It was her favorite day of the year, her favorite thing to do. I love coming to feel her energy here,” said Rwamuningi.
Steps to End Homelessness has raised nearly half a million dollars since it launched in 2009.
This year the organizers hope to close the $100,000 mark.
